Raqs Gazelle

Inhabitting the dunes of rhe Shamsi Desert, the Raqs Gazelle or Gazhaal al-Raqs is a small but mobile gazelle. In fact, it is one of the fastest and most agile beasts in Emynea, a favorite creature of Rylis himself! They are perfectly adapted for life in the radiant dunes, capable going their whole lives without a drop of water! Raqs Gazelle also have a symbiotic relationship with Murna Acacia and they are famous for their tendency to dance to communicate! These creatures are able to outrun or at least outmaneuver almost any other beast with a mixture of speed and agility. Fliris' Aura or Movement both amplify their already impressive mobility. Aura manifestations allow Raqs to generate short bursts of flight, decreased gravity or increased speed and agility for themselves and others, sometimes granting these abilities to their entire herd! A Movement manifestation affects solely their own movements, able to move freely and unhindered by normal physics. They are freed of gravity, able to move in any way they desire. Rylis considers these gazelle one of his finest patron animals, darting about the desert freely. Consumer Prey Herbivore Crepuscular

Kaithur

First Ability Rithaldis' Shield Gazelle with Rithaldis' Shield are immune to damage or ill effects from both radiant magic and naturally occurring radiant energy. Thks includes powerful sunlight, solar plasma, photons and radiation. Second Ability Fliris' Aura With Fliris' Aura, gazelle are able to generate short bursts of flight, decreased gravity, increased speed, velocity or agility and decreases in size for themselves or others. Fliris' Movement Gazelle with Fliris' Movement are able to step, walk or move freely, unhindered by normal physics. Includes increased speed and agility and unearthly, unpredictable motions. Can adjust the velocity and movements of their own body.

Anatomy

These are one of the smallest species of gazelle in Emynea. Despite this, they are incredibly fast and nimble, attributed to the length of their legs compared to their body size and potent movement magic. Both males and females have their characteristic horns, more pronounced than other species of gazelle. Male horns are 250-280 mm (9.8-11 in) long with 20-24 rings while females are smaller, 170-190 mm (6.7-7.5 in) with 16-18 rings. They have been known to use them for defense or for digging up plant bulbs. Original Ancestor Lifespan Gazella dorcas Dorcas Gazelle 15 years Height Weight Length 55-65 cm 1.8-2.1 feet 15-20 kg 33-44 lbs 90-100 cm 3-3.3 feet Coloration Body tint can vary by region but they are generally pale brown with a white underbelly and two brown stripes running across sides. In their magic form, their hooves and horns become blue-green and similarly colored fur spreads across their bodies, especially their legs. Stark white fur is also common.

Adaptions

Senses

Fast Flight These gazelle are capable of running up to 50-60 mph (80-96 km/h) without even using their Kaithur, moving at almost imperceptible speeds with magic. Their speed rivals even the Cheetah, one of their predators. When this still isn't enough, they will zig zag with incredible agility and wear their predators out. This responsibility falls to males and is one reason females often outnumber them. Despite their adaptions, raqs gazelle are flighty and wired by nature, an ideal prey in their food web, and have been known to become dangerous when surrounded. They will weaponize their horns and have even been known to kill people! Raqs Gazelle can go their entire lives without drinking water directly, getting all of the water they need from their diet, and they can retain all but a quarter of water consumed by doubling the concentration of their urine. Their metabolisms are also geared toward their hot environment, regulating their body temperature well. They are still far more active at dawn and dusk, when it is most comfortable, but have been known to alter their behavior depending on predation habits.

Vision This gazelle relies heavily on its sharp eyesight to monitor for predators but often graze alongside Mefkaht Ostritch, who are far more perceptive. They have keen reflexes and their eyes are attuned to motion at a distance. They will alert each other to the presence of a predator in a variety of ways, very communicative to each other. They might shiver, twitch their tails or even bounce and leap in a position called stotting.

Habitat

Desert Semi-Desert Savannah Shrubland Raqs Gazelle are the most adapted gazelle to arid environments. Most reside within the radiant dunes in northern Alkelbulan where there are fewer predators capable of enduring this intense habitat. Raqs Gazelle are found throughout the Shamsi Desert all the way to Birit Narim, bordering Parsa. They can also be found in small groups within Nyasi za Rangi, the Arabiyyan Desert and Gaarreen Ho'aa.

Diet

Herbivore Folivore Florivore Granivore Xylophage Raqs Gazelle feed on leaves, flowers and pods of various desert species. They have a symbiotic relationship with Murna Acacia, dispersing and germinating their seeds. They will also feed on the leaves, twigs and fruit of various bushes and may even stand on their hind legs to graze on trees if not using their magic to leap through the air and perch on branches. Spotting a herd of tiny gazelle perched on the branches of a Murna Acacia or Mawa Palm is quite the sight, especially if one is spotted and they scatter. They will use their horns after it rains in order to dig up bulbs from the softened soil but their favorite treat are called rain lilies. These are hard to find but are known to summon rain when disturbed. Sudden or unexpected rains are usually attributed to ghazaal grazing on this bloom.

Behavior

Gregarious Communication Altruistic In times of scarcity Raqs Gazelle will live in pairs but when they can, they prefer to join together into family herds with one adult male, several females and their calves. Sometimes young males will even travel in a bachelor group of four or five. Besides their natural speed, Rylis adores these creatures for their communicative movements. They enjoy wiggling at each other with complex and obscure meanings—they dance in their own language! Their name actually means the dancing gazelle, a quirky sight to those lucky enough to witness it. The gazelle have no confusion though, seeming to understand each other well as they wiggle and even twerk at each other. This isn't limited to butt wiggles either. They will also do the same with their tails and horns, leaping and trotting along desert sands, prancing through the air using their magic, their teeny bodies expressing all manner of unspoken chitchat. It may even just be a way to relieve stress, these gazelle always on alert for predators. Vocal calls have an interesting range as well. Their alarm calls sound like short barks, louder and more desperate under extreme stress or pain. Females will grunt to call out their calves and they can even make a long growl when they are annoyed.

Life Cycle

Territorial Viviparous Polygynous Alloparental Adult males are very territorial during breeding season, the species polgymous by nature and females usually outnumber males. They will mark their territory with dung piles. However, in difficult seasons where resources are sparse, they will mate and travel in pairs. Females are pregnant for six months, usually birthing one calf but twins occasionally occur. Newborns are well developed with fur and open eyes, able to stand within its first hour after birth. It will also suckle on its first day. During the first two weeks, the calf will curl up beneath bushes while it's mother grazes somewhere nearby. Finally, the calf will then follow it's mother and start eating solid food. It is fully weaned by three months. Most aren't fully capable of magic until this point, relying on those in their herd with Aura manifestations when pursued or the protection of their father.

Predators Their natural predators are humans, cheetahs, leopards and lions. ǁKo Wild Dog and Manid Hyena will also hunt them on occasion. Serval, caracal and other smaller predators will prey on the calves. Most predators aren't particularly successful, these gazelles extremely evasive. Human Contact The pelts and horns of these gazelles can be found in markets, used decoratively or in medicines. They are otherwise hunted for their meat and Ilnid enjoys keeping them as pets, some of his court imitating him. They remind him of his father and he enjoys showing them off to him when Rylis visits.